Ceiling fan with mounting plate

ABSTRACT

A ceiling fan assembly having a motor with a rotor and a stator, at least one blade operably coupled to the stator, a motor shaft extending from the stator and having an internal wire passage and a wire opening in a side of the motor shaft, with the wire opening providing access to the internal wire passage, a control mounting plate having a motor shaft opening through which the motor shaft extends and an electronic control unit carried by a side of the control mounting plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typical ceiling fans are electrically powered, being electricallycoupled to a building electrical supply. The ceiling fans include anelectric motor that is suspended beneath a ceiling by a hollow downrodthrough which electrical wires extend from the building electricalsupply to the motor. An annular array of fan blades are coupled to themotor such that the blades can rotate about the motor, pushing a flow ofair.

Ceiling fans can utilize a mounting plate to support various componentslocated above the motor. The mounting plate can have an opening throughwhich a motor shaft can extend and couple to the downrod. The mountingplate can have an opening, through which the motor shaft extends, with aslot extending radially from the motor shaft that allows the mountingplate to slide down the motor shaft without damaging the wires exitingthe motor shaft.

A technical issue with this type of mounting plate is that afterassembly of the ceiling fan, the slot creates a pathway for water toreach the motor and other electrical components. Further, theconfiguration of the mounting plate can inhibit later access to themotor and other electronic components located below the mounting platein order to repair a ceiling fan not operating properly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a ceiling fan assemblycomprising a motor having a rotor and a stator, at least one bladeoperably coupled to the motor, a motor shaft extending from the statorand having an internal wire passage and a wire opening in a side of themotor shaft, with the wire opening providing access to the internal wirepassage, a control mounting plate having a motor shaft opening throughwhich the motor shaft extends, with the motor shaft opening being sizedto define gap between motor shaft and the control mounting plate, andthe control mounting plate is located, relative to the motor shaft,between the wire opening and the rotor and stator, the control mountingplate having opposing first and second sides, with the first sideoriented toward the wire opening and the second side oriented toward therotor and stator, an electronic control unit carried by a first side ofthe control mount and electrically connected to the motor by wirespassing through the wire opening and wire passage, and a multiplesegment plug occluding the gap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic side view of a ceiling fan mounted to astructure and including a mounting assembly according to an aspect ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the ceiling fan of FIG. 1illustrating the mounting assembly including a split adapter accordingto an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portion of the ceiling fan of FIG. 2with a portion of the mounting assembly removed according to an aspectof the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the split adapter of FIG. 2according to an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the split adapter of FIG. 2 according toan aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the ceiling fan of FIG. 1including a mounting assembly in a partially assembled view according toanother aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a portion of the mounting assemblyof FIG. 6 according to an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the portion of the mountingassembly of FIG. 7 according to an aspect of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to a ceiling fan assembly having amulti-segmented mounting plate, which can be assembled in pieces aroundthe motor shaft below the wires instead of sliding over the wiring,negating the need for a slot in the mounting plate for wires. The lackof the slot eliminates a water path to the electrical components. Forpurposes of illustration, the present disclosure will be described withrespect to an exemplary ceiling fan motor housed in an exemplary ceilingfan housing. It will be understood, however, that the disclosure is notso limited and can have general applicability in all ceiling fan ormounting applications, such lighting or suspension for industrial,commercial, and residential applications, as well as a plurality ofdifferent ceiling fan designs. It can also have application to ceilingfans comprising multiple motors or angularly oriented motors.Furthermore, the split adapter as described herein will be compatiblewith all ceiling fan assemblies.

The disclosure is related to a ceiling fan assembly which can be used,for example, in residential and commercial applications. Suchapplications can be indoors, outdoors, or both. While this descriptionis primarily directed toward a residential ceiling fan, it is alsoapplicable to any environment utilizing fans or for cooling areasutilizing air movement.

As used herein, the term “set” or a “set” of elements can be any numberof elements, including only one. All directional references (e.g.,radial, axial, proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left,right, lateral, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical,horizontal, clockwise, counterclockwise, upstream, downstream, forward,aft, etc.) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader'sunderstanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations,particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of aspects of thedisclosure described herein. Connection references (e.g., attached,coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and caninclude intermediate members between a collection of elements andrelative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such,connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements aredirectly connected and in fixed relation to one another. The exemplarydrawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions,positions, order and relative sizes reflected in the drawings attachedhereto can vary.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a ceiling fan 10 is suspended from a structure12, such as a ceiling of a building. A structure mount 14 secures to thestructure 12 and seats a ball mount assembly 16. A canopy 18 enclosesthe structure mount 14, providing an aesthetically pleasing junctionbetween the ball mount assembly 16 and the structure 12. A downrod 20couples to the ball mount assembly 16 at a first end 22. A motor adapterassembly 24 couples to the downrod 20 at a second end 26, opposite ofthe ball mount assembly 16. A motor housing 30 and a motor shaft 32couple to the motor adapter assembly 24 opposite of the downrod 20. Themotor housing 30 can be separated into an upper housing 34 and a lowerhousing 36, with the upper housing 34 coupling to the motor adapterassembly 24. The motor housing 30 encases a motor 38 having a rotor 40and a stator 42, with the motor shaft 32 extending from the motor 38 tothe motor adapter assembly 24.

A set of blade irons 44 can couple a set of complementary blades 46 tothe motor 38. The motor 38 can be electrically powered to rotatablydrive the blades 46 to push a volume of air. Optionally, a light kit 47or switch housing can be provided on the motor housing 30, and is shownpositioned at the bottom of the lower housing 36.

A controller 48 can be mounted above the motor 38, and encased in theupper housing 34. The controller 48 can be electrically coupled to anelectrical supply 50 to control operation of the ceiling fan 10 andsupply power to the motor 38. Alternatively, the controller 48 can bewirelessly or communicatively coupled to the ceiling fan 10, configuredto control operation of the ceiling fan 10 remotely, without a dedicatedconnection. Non-limiting examples of controls for the ceiling fan 10 caninclude fan speed, fan direction, or light operation. Furthermore, aseparate wireless controller 52, alone or in addition to the wiredcontroller 48, can be communicatively coupled to a controller or awireless receiver in the ceiling fan 10 to control operation of theceiling fan 10. It is further contemplated in one alternative examplethat the ceiling fan be operated by the wireless controller 52 alone,and is not operably coupled with the wired controller 48.

In ceiling fans having components mounted directly above the motor 38, amounting assembly 53 can support such components. By way of non-limitingexample, components can include controllers, plates for securing otherparts of the ceiling fan 10, portions of the upper housing 34, and otherdecorative features of ceiling fan 10.

Turning to FIG. 2 , the mounting assembly 53 includes a control mountingplate 54 and a split adapter 60. The control mounting plate 54 forms aplatform to support the controller 48 above the motor 38. The controlmounting plate 54 includes an upper side 56, a lower side 57 oppositethe upper side 56 and facing the motor 38, and a central opening 58through which the motor shaft 32 extends. A split adapter 60 surroundsthe motor shaft 32 and occludes the remainder of the central opening 58in the control mounting plate 54.

The motor shaft 32 includes an interior 62 through which electricalwiring can pass. An upper wiring hole 64 and a lower wiring hole 66 areformed in the motor shaft 32 allowing electrical wires to pass from theinterior 62 of the motor shaft 32 to an exterior side 68 of the motorshaft 32 in order to electrically connect the motor 38, the controller48, and the electrical supply 50.

In FIG. 3 , the control mounting plate 54 has been removed for clarity.A first segment 70 and a second segment 72 couple together to form thesplit adapter 60. The split adapter 60 can include an annular base 82having an upper surface 74, a lower surface 76 opposite the uppersurface 74 and facing the motor 38, and a motor shaft opening 78 throughwhich the motor shaft 32 extends. It is contemplated that any number ofsegments 70, 72 can be combined to form the split adapter 60. The splitadapter 60 can further include a centrally located collar 80circumscribing the motor shaft 32, defining at least a portion of themotor shaft opening 78, and extending axially from the annular base 82.

The collar 80 can have a cut-out 84 corresponding to a defining edge 86of the lower wiring hole 66 such that the collar 80 does not block alower wiring opening 88. The collar 80 can further include one or moreapertures 90 (FIG. 5 ) configured to receive a fastener, such as a bolt91, to removably fasten the split adapter 60 to the motor shaft 32.

The base 82 includes an indexing rib 92 forming a circular shape,radially spaced from the collar 80, on the upper surface 74. The centralopening 58 can receive the indexing rib 92 of the split adapter 60. Itis contemplated that the indexing rib 92 can have a peripheral shapecomplementary to the central opening 58 and the remainder of the uppersurface 74 of the split adapter 60 confronts the lower side 57 of thecontrol mounting plate 54.

The base 82 can further include one or more apertures 93 configured toreceive a fastener to secure the split adapter 60 to the motor 38, thecontrol mounting plate 54, or both, and one or more apertures 94configured to receive a fastener to secure the first segment 70 to thesecond segment 72 to one another. By way of non-limiting example,fasteners can include bolts, screws, pins, or any other fastener capableof securing corresponding elements together.

FIG. 4 is a perspective bottom view of the split adapter 60. The lowersurface 76 of the base 82 can include a lower portion 95 of the collar80 at least partially defining the motor shaft opening 78. The lowersurface 76 can further include one or more circumferential ribs 96,radially spaced from the collar 80. One or more radial ribs 97 extendradially from the collar 80 and can intersect the one or morecircumferential ribs 96. The circumferential ribs 96 and the radial ribs97 together with the indexing rib 92 provide stability and rigidity tothe split adapter 60. Further, the circumferential ribs 96 can helpprevent water from reaching the motor 38.

FIG. 5 illustrates the split adapter 60 separated into the first segment70 and the second segment 72. While the first segment 70 and the secondsegment 72 bisect the split adapter 60 generally in half, along adiameter 98, it is contemplated that any number of segments 70, 72 canbe combined to form the split adapter 60. For the purposes of clarity,it is to be understood that the first segment 70 is complementary inshape to the second segment 72. Therefore, only elements of the firstsegment 70 will be described herein with it being understood thatelements of the first segment 70 also apply to the second segment 72with corresponding numerals for the second segment 72 unless otherwiseindicated. A collar member 110 of the first segment 70 and a collarmember 112 of the second segment, form the collar 80 when assembled. Itis contemplated that each collar member 110, 112 can form at least aportion of the cut-out 84. Alternatively, the cut-out 84 can be formedby only the collar member 110 or the collar member 112. Each collarmember 110, 112 includes the aperture 90 to receive a fastener, howeverit is also contemplated that only collar member 110 or collar member 112includes the aperture 90. Each collar member 110, 112 further includesan upper end 120 and a lower end 122. Each upper end 120 projects upwardfrom the upper surface 74 of the split adapter 60 forming an upperportion 99 (FIG. 3 ) of collar 80 when the first and second segments 70,72 are coupled. Each lower end 122 projects downward from the lowersurface 76 to form the lower portion 95 of collar 80 (FIG. 4 ) when thefirst and second segments 70, 72 are coupled.

Further, the first and second segments 70, 72 each include an understep124 and a complementarily shaped overstep 126, opposite the understep124, configured to overlappingly couple the first and second segments70, 72. The understep 124 extends radially, from the collar 80. Theunderstep 124 includes a depending riser 128, depending from the uppersurface 74, and a tread 130, extending from the depending riser 128 atabout a 90 degree angle. Alternatively, the tread 130 can extend fromthe depending riser 128 at any angle complementary to the overstep 126.A tread portion 132 of the lower surface 76 of the base 82 and a radialriser rib 134 located on the lower surface 76 and complementary inheight to the height of the depending riser 128, form the overstep 126.The radial riser rib 134 can optionally be formed by at least a portionof one of the radial ribs 97.

To form the split adapter 60, the first segment 70 couples to the secondsegment 72 in an overlapping relationship such that the overstep 126 ofthe first segment 70 overlies the understep 124 of the second segment72, the overstep 126 of the second segment 72 overlies the understep 124of the first segment 70, and the indexing rib 92 forms a circle on theupper surface 74 of the base 82. Optionally, each of the understep 124and the overstep 126 can include the apertures 94 on the overstep 126and an aperture 136 on the understep 124 are configured to receive afastener to fasten the first segment 70 to the second segment 72 duringassembly of ceiling fan 10. By way of non-limiting example, fastenerscan include bolts, screws, pins, or any other fastener capable ofsecuring corresponding elements together.

During assembly of the ceiling fan 10, the split adapter 60 can beassembled around the motor shaft 32, above the motor 38, and below thelower wiring hole 66. Fasteners can secure the split adapter 60 throughthe apertures 90 to the motor shaft 32 and through the apertures 93, 94to the motor 38, control mounting plate 54, or both. By way ofnon-limiting example, can include bolts, screws, pins, or any otherfastener capable of securing corresponding elements together. Becausethe split adapter 60 is assembled in segments 70, 72, in case of amalfunction of the ceiling fan 10, the split adapter 60 can be similarlydisassembled post-installation. Disassembling the split adapter 60creates a large enough central opening in the control mounting plate 54to enable the control mounting plate 54 to be slid vertically withrespect to the motor shaft 32 without damaging or contacting any wiringexiting the interior 62 through the upper and lower wiring holes 64, 66.Removal of the split adapter 60 allows easier access to the motor 38 andwiring than when using a solid, single piece adapter or control mountingplate. The ability to access the motor and wiring allows amalfunctioning ceiling fan to be repaired rather than requiringreplacement.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the mounting assembly 53can include a single split adapter mounting plate 200. FIG. 6illustrates partially assembled view of the split adapter mounting plate200 of a ceiling fan 10. A first segment 212 and a second segment 214couple together to form the circular-shaped split adapter mounting plate200. While illustrated as the first segment 212 and the second segment214 bisect the split adapter mounting plate 200 generally in half, alonga diameter 215 (FIG. 7 ), it is contemplated that any number of segments212, 214 can be combined to form the split adapter mounting plate 200.By way of non-limiting example, the first segment 212 is a mirror imageand complementarily shaped to the second segment 214, therefore, onlyelements of the first segment 212 will be described herein with it beingunderstood that elements of the first segment 212 also apply to thesecond segment 214 in mirror image.

Turning to FIG. 7 , the first segment 212 can include a top surface 216,a bottom surface 218 opposite the top surface 216 and confronting themotor 38, and a center channel 220. The center channel 220 can belocated at or near the center of the diameter 215 and have a curvedinterior 222 configured to form a motor shaft opening 224 through whichthe motor shaft 32 can extend when the first segment 212 is coupled tothe second segment 214. The center channel 220 includes an upper edge226 at the top surface 216 and a lower edge 228 depending from thebottom surface 218. The lower edge 228 of each of the first and secondsegments 212, 214 can form a lower collar 230 of the motor shaft opening224.

A first flanged side 232 and a second flange side 234 each flank aportion of and at least partially define the center channel 220 on eachof a pair of radial sides 236 of the curved interior 222. A firstaperture 238 is formed in the first flange side 232, while a secondaperture 240 is formed in the second flange side 234. The first aperture238 in the first segment 212 is configured to couple with the secondaperture 240 in the second segment 214. Likewise, the second aperture inthe first segment 212 is configured to couple with the first aperture238 in the second segment 214. By way of non-limiting example, the firstaperture 238 can be a pocket hole formed in the top surface 216 suchthat a fastener can be driven from the top surface 216, through thefirst aperture 238 of the first segment 212 and into the second aperture240 of the second segment 214 to secure the first and second segments212, 214 to each other during assembly of the split adapter mountingplate 200 around the motor shaft 32. Additionally, the first and secondsegments 212, 214 can include any number of additional apertures 242configured to receive fasteners to fasten the split adapter mountingplate 200 to the motor 38.

The first segment 212 further includes one or more tab openings 244complementarily shaped in order to receive tabs 246 projecting outwardfrom the diameter 215 of the split adapter mounting plate 200. Each tab246 includes a snap element 248 at a distal end configured to formcooperating snap-fit connections between each tab 246 and each tabopening 244.

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the first segment 212 ofthe split adapter mounting plate 200. The bottom surface 218 includesone or more support structures for the split adapter mounting plate 200.One or more circumferential ribs 250, radially spaced from the centerchannel 220. One or more radial ribs 252 extend from the center channel220 and can intersect the one or more circumferential ribs 250. Thecircumferential ribs 250 can be utilized to align the split adaptermounting plate 200 during installation. The circumferential ribs 250 andthe radial ribs 252 provide stability and rigidity to the split adaptermounting plate 200. Further, the circumferential ribs 250 can helpprevent water from reaching the motor 38.

During assembly of the ceiling fan 10, the split adapter mounting plate200 can be assembled around the motor shaft 32, above the motor 38, andbelow the lower wiring hole 66. Fasteners can secure the first andsecond segments 212, 214 of the split adapter mounting plate 200 throughthe apertures 238, 240 together and to the motor 38 through apertures242. By way of non-limiting example, can include bolts, screws, pins, orany other fastener capable of securing corresponding elements together.Because the split adapter mounting plate 200 is assembled in segments212, 214, in case of a malfunction of the ceiling fan 10, the splitadapter mounting plate 200 can be similarly disassembledpost-installation. Disassembling the split adapter mounting plate 200enables access to the electrical elements of the ceiling fan 10 withoutdamaging or contacting any wiring exiting the interior 62 through theupper and lower wiring holes 64, 66. Removal of the split adaptermounting plate 200 allows easier access to the motor 38 and wiring thanwhen using a solid, single piece adapter or mounting plate. The abilityto access the motor and wiring allows a malfunctioning ceiling fan to berepaired rather than requiring replacement

To the extent not already described, the different features andstructures of the various embodiments can be used in combination, or insubstitution with each other as desired. That one feature is notillustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed thatit cannot be so illustrated, but is done for brevity of description.Thus, the various features of the different embodiments can be mixed andmatched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the newembodiments are expressly described. All combinations or permutations offeatures described herein are covered by this disclosure.

This written description uses examples to explain the disclosure,including the best mode, and to enable any person skilled in the art topractice the disclosure, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe disclosure is defined by the claims, and can include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ceiling fan assembly comprising: a motor havinga rotor and a stator; at least one blade operably coupled to the motor;a motor shaft extending from the stator and having a peripheral sideterminating at opposing ends to define an internal wire passage and awire opening in the peripheral side, with the wire opening providingaccess to the internal wire passage; a control mounting plate having amotor shaft opening through which the motor shaft extends, with themotor shaft opening being sized to define gap between motor shaft andthe control mounting plate, with the control mounting plate and the gapextending entirely circumferentially around the motor shaft, and thecontrol mounting plate is located, relative to the motor shaft, betweenthe wire opening and the rotor and stator, the control mounting platehaving opposing first and second sides, with the first side orientedtoward the wire opening and the second side oriented toward the rotorand stator; an electronic control unit carried by a first side of thecontrol mounting plate and electrically connected to the motor by wirespassing through the wire opening and wire passage; and a multiplesegment plug occluding the gap.
 2. The ceiling fan assembly of claim 1wherein at least one of the multiple segments is mounted to the motorshaft.
 3. The ceiling fan assembly of claim 2 wherein all of themultiple segments are mounted to the motor shaft.
 4. The ceiling fanassembly of claim 1 wherein at least two of the multiple segments haveoverlapping portions.
 5. The ceiling fan assembly of claim 4 wherein atleast one of the overlapping portions is a step.
 6. The ceiling fanassembly of claim 5 wherein another of the overlapping portions residesabove the step.
 7. The ceiling fan assembly of claim 1 wherein at leastone of the multiple segments defines at least a portion of a collarcircumscribing the motor shaft.
 8. The ceiling fan assembly of claim 7wherein all of the multiple segments have a portion, which collectivelydefines the collar.
 9. The ceiling fan assembly of claim 7 wherein thecollar has a cut out portion corresponding to the wire opening.
 10. Theceiling fan assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of the multiplesegments comprises an indexing rib receiving within the motor shaftopening.
 11. The ceiling fan assembly of claim 10 wherein all of themultiple segments comprise an indexing rib, which collective have aperipheral shape complementary to the motor shaft opening.
 12. Theceiling fan assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of the multiplesegments is located on the second side of the control mounting plate.13. The ceiling fan assembly of claim 12 wherein all of the multiplesegments are located on the second side.
 14. The ceiling fan assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the multiple segments comprise two segments.
 15. Theceiling fan assembly of claim 14 wherein the two segments collectivelydefine a periphery complementary with the shape of the motor shaftopening.
 16. The ceiling fan assembly of claim 15 wherein the peripheryis a circle.
 17. The ceiling fan assembly of claim 16 wherein the twosegments form equal halves of the circle.
 18. A ceiling fan assemblycomprising: a motor having a rotor and a stator; at least one bladeoperably coupled to the motor; a motor shaft extending from the statorand having a peripheral side terminating at opposing ends to define aninternal wire passage and a wire opening in the peripheral side, withthe wire opening providing access to the internal wire passage; acontrol mounting plate having a motor shaft opening through which themotor shaft extends, with the motor shaft opening being sized to definegap between motor shaft and the control mounting plate, and the controlmounting plate is located, relative to the motor shaft, between the wireopening and the rotor and stator, the control mounting plate havingopposing first and second sides, with the first side oriented toward thewire opening and the second side oriented toward the rotor and stator;an electronic control unit carried by a first side of the controlmounting plate and electrically connected to the motor by wires passingthrough the wire opening and wire passage; and a multiple segment plugoccluding the gap and all of the multiple segments have a portion, whichcollectively define a collar circumscribing the motor shaft.
 19. Aceiling fan assembly comprising: a motor having a rotor and a stator; atleast one blade operably coupled to the motor; a motor shaft extendingfrom the stator and having a peripheral side terminating at opposingends to define an internal wire passage and a wire opening in theperipheral side, with the wire opening providing access to the internalwire passage; a control mounting plate having a motor shaft openingthrough which the motor shaft extends, with the motor shaft openingbeing sized to define gap between motor shaft and the control mountingplate, and the control mounting plate is located, relative to the motorshaft, between the wire opening and the rotor and stator, the controlmounting plate having opposing first and second sides, with the firstside oriented toward the wire opening and the second side orientedtoward the rotor and stator; an electronic control unit carried by afirst side of the control mounting plate and electrically connected tothe motor by wires passing through the wire opening and wire passage;and a multiple segment plug occluding the gap wherein at least one ofthe multiple segments comprises an indexing rib receiving within themotor shaft opening.
 20. A ceiling fan assembly comprising: a motorhaving a rotor and a stator; at least one blade operably coupled to themotor; a motor shaft extending from the stator and having a peripheralside terminating at opposing ends to define an internal wire passage anda wire opening in the peripheral side, with the wire opening providingaccess to the internal wire passage; a control mounting plate having amotor shaft opening through which the motor shaft extends, with themotor shaft opening being sized to define gap between motor shaft andthe control mounting plate, and the control mounting plate is located,relative to the motor shaft, between the wire opening and the rotor andstator, the control mounting plate having opposing first and secondsides, with the first side oriented toward the wire opening and thesecond side oriented toward the rotor and stator; an electronic controlunit carried by a first side of the control mounting plate andelectrically connected to the motor by wires passing through the wireopening and wire passage; and a multiple segment plug occluding the gapwherein all of the multiple segments are located on the second side ofthe control mounting plate.
 21. A ceiling fan assembly comprising: amotor having a rotor and a stator; at least one blade operably coupledto the motor; a motor shaft extending from the stator and having aperipheral side terminating at opposing ends to define an internal wirepassage and a wire opening in the peripheral side, with the wire openingproviding access to the internal wire passage; a control mounting platehaving a motor shaft opening through which the motor shaft extends, withthe motor shaft opening being sized to define gap between motor shaftand the control mounting plate, and the control mounting plate islocated, relative to the motor shaft, between the wire opening and therotor and stator, the control mounting plate having opposing first andsecond sides, with the first side oriented toward the wire opening andthe second side oriented toward the rotor and stator; an electroniccontrol unit carried by a first side of the control mounting plate andelectrically connected to the motor by wires passing through the wireopening and wire passage; and a multiple segment plug occluding the gapwherein the multiple segments comprise two segments forming equal halvesof a circle having a periphery complementary with the shape of the motorshaft opening.